Fuel-regulator.



WITNESSES H. E. REEVE.

FUEL REGULATOR.

urucmon man m. II. 1913.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

INVENTOR H. E. REEVE.

FUEL REGULATOR.

APPLICATION men FEB- n. ma.

1,238,940. Patented sepu 4,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- wmvron H. E. REEVE.

FUE L REGULATOR.

APPLICATION man ms. ll. m3.

PatentedSept. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 :13. 10- Fig. 11'- Fig. 9

Fig. 7-

Fig. 6.

INVENTOR i To all whom it may. concern:

control the flow of gas to the burner.

PATENT OFFICE. I

'mi- 2. nniwn, or new roux, n. f

roan-momma.

1,238,940, Specification of Iicttereratent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

Application nae Icbruary i, 101:. Serial Io. 747.648.

Be it known that I HENRI E. Rravn, a citizen of the United gtates ofAmerica, and residing at New York, in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuel- Regulators,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to thermostatic control of the gassupply for water heaters.

The object of the invention is to provide a sensitive and yet positiveautomatic control of the gas supply in what are commonly termedautomatic heaters.

} My invention embodies in part a thermo- Static device which actsinaccordance with; the temperature of the heater to control flow offluid under pressureto a pressure actuates certain valve mechanism topositivel special feature resides in the utilization of the operatingthe pressure operated device. Of importance in this connection, Ipreferably provide a means for automatically releasing the pressure uponthe pressure actuated 'device when'the flow of actuating fluid theretohas beenlcut iofl'.

Another feature ofimportance is the provision-of means for cutting ofiflow of gas to ated directly from the thernidstat for automatically andpositively cutting ofl flow of 1 gas to the burner inthe event of theheater becoming also a feature of this invention.

Another-feature of considerable impor-. tanoe is a specialform ofgas-tight jointfor the valve operati'n lever which is in the form of arelative y flexible gas-ti ht .dJ-lphra'gni connecting, the lever with td'WiI-i of the chamber which the lever-proj t e lever being timber forthe purpose. of operating a valve therein.

A further feature is a. special" form of valve adapted to and automateically seatitself. A specia y sensitive form of thermostat also forms apart of the presentinventiomspecificition proceeds.

arious' other features appearthe . The accompanying drawings illustrateth other chan gas, as the fluid under pressure for.

excessive! hot or overhea' is r 0 I 'voir of the heater isindicatedat15. 16

.which an lies gas to .is' the coiisuit which conveys gas from theprojected' into this opera phmg n Qtlfmid;

invention in several of its preferred forms but I would have itunderstood'that various and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the true sco e of the invention.

igure' 1, is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of -theinvention, parts being broken away. Fig. 2, is a plan view of the levermemher which carries the auxiliary gas valve and is gperatedby'thethermostat.

1g. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a somewhat modified form of theinvention.

4, is a lan view of the lever memberi nstrated in Fi 3.

Fig. 5, is a horiaontal sectional view taken substantially on the l ne5-5 of Fig. 3,. illustrating the gas-tight joint and the piyot' mountingforthe leve which operates ated device and which device in turn open themain valve.

Fig. 6, is a sectional view taken on a plane stantially on the line 66of V ig. 5. a

- 7,3$-a detail p rspeictive view showing t e various parts gf thepreferred form of as valve.

ig. 8; is a similar view of these parts as p of that figure.

the main burner in the event of the pilot j becoming extinguished.Mechanism oper- Fig. 10, is another sectional view of the same takensubstantially on thehne 10-10 of 3, and

Fig. 11 is still another such view taken substantially on the line 11-11of Fig. 3.

A portion of the water chamber or reserlit-right angles to that of F' 5and suba designates the gas sup lypipe or conduit app a s 4 controllinga paratus to the main burner.

jcoiitrolled directly by a main g s valve 18 and a pressure-operatedevice s preferably utilized as the for pos tively o tingthis f are 7deviee s'here ii formpf a diaphragm I um cally .0011

.nected with-the valve by m'eans of a p iflflpe djasp l 1:; endofapivolever22 gppollteend connected with th val o properly The flow 0 gas tothe main burner may regulate rising and felling-movement of I thediaphragm with the closing and opening movement of the regulating valve,these parts, or the mechanical connections between are preferably maderelatively adjustable. Such adjustment is in this case provided for byconnecting the end of the lever adjustably to the diaphragm ost, as byengaging it between the adjustab e abutments 23, carried by the post(see 1). Also the connection between the diaphragm and valve ispreferably made a more or less yielding one to permit a slight furthermovement of the diaphragm after the valve has been seated, so as tothereby hold-the valve all the more firmly seated. The lever 22 is forthis purpose, shown in Fig. 1, as provided with a spring end portion 24which will yield to permit further upward. movement of the diaphragmafter the valve has been engaged with its seat 25.

While the pressure actuated device may be operated by any suitable fluidunderpressure, I prefer to use thegas itself as the medium for operatingthe device. An auxiliary gas passage 26 is therefore preferably providedleading to theunderside ofthe diaphragm, and flow of the actuating fluidis governed by an auxiliary gas valve 27 arranged to cooperate with theseat 28 at the end of such passage.

A thermostatic device of some sort is provided for controlling operationof the pressure actuated device. In the first figure the thermostaticdevice is shown as consisting simply, of a tube 29 extending up into thereservoir and having the rod 30 or like connection secured to the upperend thereof. The tube being made of brass or other material possessing arelatively high co-eflicient of expansion, it will be clear that as thewater in the reservoir becomes heated the tube will, since it isanchored at its lower end at 31, expand upwardly and nection 30, whileupon cooling of the water the tube will contract and lower theconnection 30. The so-called' auxiliary valve 27 whichgoverns admissionof the actuating fluid 'to the pressure "operated is mounted in anysuitable way anditiis-here shown as ca'rijled on "the. end df'anarm' 0rlever 32 to the opposite-end of'whiclf'lever the thermostat rodislconnected by. aj'metall ic tape or ribbon 33. The operatingarm 32 ispivoted so as to be capable of the oscillatory movement necessary in theopeni and clos ing of the auxiliaryga's valve, an "to reduce friction asmuch as possible and toeliminate lost motion prefer to use a specialform of pivot mounting at this point. This "mounting consists ofa'roller 34'carrying thevalve operating arm and making rolling onagement with a relatively fixe support 3; and a pair of flexiblemetallictapes'or ribbons,

which pass in opposite directions each". art

way around the roller. The ends of 7 see us the ribbons are fastenedeither directly or indirectly to the roller, so that the roller may berotated thereby. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the ribbon 33 which comesfrom the thermostat extends downwardly part way around the roller and issecured in respect to the roller by having its end engaged over a pin 36on the lever 32 and another ribbon 37, passes upwardly at the oppositeside of the roller and part way therearound to where it is secured 1nrespect to the roller by being engaged with the pin 38. The roller andlever are made fixed-in respect to each other so it will be clear thatthe anchoring of the ribbons to the lever is the equivalent of fasteninthem direct to the roller. In Fig. 3 the r1 bons rare in fact shownsecured to the roller at points 39 and 40. The second ribbon has itsopposite end secured to the roller support, as indicated at 41. Whenmade as in Fig. 1, I have provided guides 42 for holding the ribbons inproper engagement with the surface of the roller. The roller is in someway-held in proper engagement with its support 35 and provision is madefor rotatin it in a direction reverse to that in which it is turned bvthe thermostat. In Fi 1, a spring 43 is shown for holding the rol er inproper engagement with its support and a second spring 44 is illustratedwhich ing movement of the t ermostat. In the form disclosed in Fig. 3, asingle spring 45 performs both these functions, it bein as shown,connected with the lever so as oth to lift the lever in opposition tothe pull of the thermostat and to draw the lever over with the roller inengagement-with the support. To prevent side slipping of the roller withrespect to the support the roller may have flanges as indicated at 46 in3 and 4 to engage over the sides of the su port, or the p ace oftheseflanges ma be taken, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by ma g upthe leverwith two, side bars 47 to fit the 'opposite sides of the support. Thelever shown in Figs. 3 and 4 also is preferably made up of two side bars48 to pass on opposite sides of the support, but in this case the sidebars do not contact with the support. .treferably also the valve leverhas a more or less flexible end ortion 49 which acts to hold the valveclose under a certain amount of spring tension.

To secure the proper'cooperative action between the thermostat and theauxiliary valve, a certain amount of adjustment in the relation of thesetwo parts may be necessary. This I provide for preferably, by mountingthe support so that it may beshifted to carry the valve on'the valvelever 32 toward orawa from its seat. Thus in Fig.

the outer threaded end 53 of the support. In the form shown in Figs. 3and 4 the support has rounded ends guided in sockets as before, but theshifting means in this in- 5 stance consists of the screws 54 and 55engaging with the upper and lower ends respectively of the support. Thesupport may be held against rotative movement in any suitable way, suchfor instance, as by providing it with an outstanding arm 56 slidinglyengaged over a fixed guide stud .57.

The operation of the parts thus far described will be best understood byreference to Fig. 1. Normally with the burner in operation, the flow ofgas is from the supply pipe 16 through a passage formed by the gaschamber 58, connectlon 59 and valve chamber 60, to the main regulatingvalve and through conduit 17 to the burner. The thermostat, beingsubjected to the heat of the Water in the reservoir, expands, therebypulling upwardly on the ribbon 33 and rotating the roller and itsattached lever, until finally at the predetermined temperature for whichthe thermostat has been set, the auxiliary valve 27 is carried away fromits seat. Gas under pressure now flows through the auxiliary gas passageto the underside of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is lifted by thispressure of gas and thereupon acts to rock the lever 22 to close themain regulating valve. Further feed of gas to the burner is thus cutoff. As the hot water is consumed or becomes cooled, the thermostatcontracts, thereby releasing its upward pull on the ribbon 38 and thespring 44 acting in opposition to this pull then operates to close theauxiliary'valve 27. This condition of the parts is represented inFig. 1. Further supply of gas to the underside of the diaphragm is thuscut ofl and the slight leakage of gas causes a slight reduction in thepressure beneath the diaphragm. This reduction in pressure and theweight of the diaphragm itself tend to cause the diaphragm to descend. Ipreferably utilize this slight preliminary descending movement tooperate certain mechanism for accelerating the movement of the parts.This accelerating mechanism is here shown in the form of a relief valve61 carried on the diaphragm and arranged to normally close a. reliefopening 62 therein. This valve may be supported by a lever 63, pivotedat 64 on the diaphragm. At the time of the first preliminary descendingmovement of the diaphragm, the valve carrying arm is temporarilysupported so that the diaphragm will fall away from the valve and thusopen up the relief port 62. The means for thus temporarily sustainingthe valve is in Fig. 1 a series of spring fingers 65, which engagefrictionally with a knob 66, on the Stu 67 carried by lever 63. Thefrictional engage- 65 ment between these parts is sufficient to supportthe relief valve while the diaphragm is slowly settling, and the reliefvalve being thus held open, the gas beneath the diaphragm is allowed tosuddenly escape. This escape of the gas permits the diaphragm to fallquickly and as it falls, it rocks the valve lever 22 downward and againopens the regulating valve for the main burner. The small amount of gasreleased from beneath the diaphragm may be allowed to escape toatmosphere or be otherwise disposed of through a vent 68. By adjustingthe support for the valve carrying lever the amount of expansion in thethermostat necessary to open the auxiliary gas valve and hence thetemperature at which the main burner will be cut oil', may be determinedat will. For convenience in setting the parts for different temperaturesthere may be provided a scale 69, laid off in degrees of temperatures.

To provide against overheating. the thermostat is preferably made toitself directly out off flow of gas upon excessive heating. This may beconveniently accomplished by mounting a cut-off valve 70 on the valvelever 32 to cooperate with a valve seat 71 opens into the gas chamber15. If the heater should become excessively hot, as for instance, byreason of the pressure operated device failing to properly cut off flowto the main burner, then, the thermostat in expanding still further willturn the lever and carry the valve 70 into engagement with its seat,therebv positively cutting off any further flow of gas to the burner.The seat for the auxiliary valve and the seat for the cut-off valve aredisposed substantially opposite to each other so that the valve levermay vibrate thcrebetween to carry either one or the other valve toitsseat. The parts are so proportioned and so disposed that only uponexcessive heating will the lever be shifted far enough to close thecut-off valve.

As a further safeguard, means are preferably provided for shutting offflow to the main burner in the event of the extinat the point where thegas supply pipe 16 guishment of the pilot. A means for this i purpose isdisclosed in Fig. 1, wherein T2 designates the pilot for the mainburner, and" 73 a branch conduit for supplying it with gas. Associatedwith this pilot and subject to the heat thereof is a thermostatic device74 carrying a valve 75, which is arranged to engage a seat 76. andserves to control flow through a conduit 77 leading to the pressureoperated device. The thermostatic device. which may be of the usualcompound construction, is heated by the pilot so long as it isburningand in its expanded condition it serves to hold the valve 75closed. When however the pilot is extinguished this thermostatic devicecools off and lifts valve 75 from its seat. A flow of 73 through thepilot casing 78, ast the now open valve 75 and conduit 7 to the pressureactuated device which operates in the manner previously described toshut off flow to the main burner.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the apparatus is mate.- rially simplified by leavingout the pilot control of the main burner and the overheating protectivedevice. In this case the gas simply flows from the supply conduit 16direct through the valve chamberfiO to the conduit 17 leading to theburner and the gas for operating the diaphragm is taken off from thesupply conduit through a branch conduit 79 which extends to the gaschamber 58 within which is located the auxiliary valve which controlsflow to the diaphragm. The thermostat illustrated in this view and indetail in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 is extremely sensitive to change intemperature. It is made substantially as follows:- A tube 80 forinstance of brass, open at the bottom is secured at the bottom to a wallof the water reservoir. The upper end of this tube is closed by a plug81 to which is secured the upper end of a rod 82 for instance of steel.The lower end of this rod carries a sleeve 83. A tubular or semitubularmember 84 for instance of zinc, is secured to the sleeve 83 at its lowerend, and at its upper end carries a second sleeve 85. This sleeve 85 isnot attached to the tube 80 and has a free passage for the rod 82. Therod 86 for instance of steel, is secured to the sleeve 85 and passesfreely through the sleeve 83 at the bottom. The zinc tube 84 has a highco-eflicient of expansion and being in contact with the inner wall ofthe brass tube 80 receives by conduction through the tube, the heat ofthe water in the water container. As the temperature of the water rises,the tube 80 is elongated and carries with it the rod 82 and sleeve 83and zinc tube 84 and the latter in turn is itself elongated giving anadditional pulling movement to the sleeve 85 and the rod 86. The rod 82and rod 86 are preferably of relatively nonexansible material and itwill also be noted that they are so spaced apart throughout theprincipal part of their ranges from the tubes that they are but littleaffected by changes of temperature and therefore but little, if any,detract from the effective movement of the brass and zinc tubes. The rod86 may be connected to the tape 33 which operates the roller by means ofa suitable coupling 87. v

To insure the valves always seating properly they are preferably eachmounted on a universal joint so that they may automatically adjustthemselves to their respective seats. The preferred form of such jointis illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. In

these views the main regulating valve 18 is shown provided with apartially spherical recess 88, on the back thereof into which fits acorrespondingly spherical head 89 on the bearing member 90. This bearingmember is suitably attached to the element which supports the valvewhich in the case described is the Valve operating lever 22. The usualmethod of attachment is to pass the stem 91 of the bearing member intoan Opening in the supporting member and rivet it therein as indicated at92, Fig. 1. The head of the bearing member is by suitable means held inengagement with the spherical recess in the back of the valve-such meansbeing illustrated as a coil spring 93 having one of its arms 94 securedin the body of the Valve and its other arm 95 engaging the bearingmember as by passing freely through an opening 96 therein. The valveplate is thus supported so that it may move freely in all directions toa limited extent, as a result of which it will adjust itselfautomatically to always make firm engagement with its valve seat. All ofthe valves are preferably mounted in this same way. A firm and secureseating of the valves is further facilitated by making the valve seat inthe form of an upstanding annular ridge 97 as shown in the case of theauxiliary valve 27 in Fig. 1. The same form of universal mounting whichis used for the valves may also be employed in connecting the stud ofthe temporary supporting device to the lever which carries the pressurereleasing valve of the diaphragm. I Thus as shown in Fig. 1 the stud maybe made with a rounded head 98 for engagement with a spherical recess 99in the valve carrying.

lever 63. The stud thus forms a bearlng member similar in function tothe bearing member of the valves, and the rounded head of this membermay be held in engagement with the recess by a spring 93, the same as inthe case of the valves.

To prevent leakage at the joint where the valve operating lever 22passes into the valve chamber 60 of the main regulating valve, I havedevised a special form of gas tight joint, shown in detail in Figs. 5and 6 and consisting in substance of a flexible diaphragm connectedbetween the lever and the wall through which the lever passes. Thisdiaphragm is preferably made up of two thin metallic disks 100 and 101interconnected at their edges and connected at their central portions tothe lever and the suporting wall respectively. The disk 100 is oined tothe lever preferably by securing it to a bushing 102 fast on the leverand the disk 101 is preferably connected to a bushing 103 mounted in thesupporting wall. The opening 104 through wh ch the lever passes is, itwill be noted, of a size sufficient to permit free movement of thelever. The lever is in this way pivotally. supported in a manner whichis substantially frictlonless.

To prevent sidewise movement of the lever and to limit its pivotingmovement to a connected to or form a part of the bushing 102. The pivotsof the yoke are preferably disposed in the same p ane with the d1aphragmso as to substantially coincide with the line of flexure of thediaphragm, the yoke being for this purpose ofi-set as 1nd!- cated at 108to bring the pivots into this p ane.

A slight variation in the manner of temporaril supportin and opening thepressure re easing diap valve is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. In thiscase the relation of the parts is reversed, the spring fingers. 109being connected to the valve and the catch member 110 for engagementwith thele fingers being supported apart from the valve. Such support isshown as an adjustable sleeve 111. In this case the valve carrying lever63 is dispensed with, the pressure releasing valve here designated 112-,simply rovided with a spindle 113 guid in 0, yo e 114 and carrying thespring fingers on its upper end. In this form when flow to the diaphragmis shut 0E and the diaphragm begins to descend it moves away from thedia hragm valve 112 which is frictionally hel by the s ring fingers 109en'- gagin the catch mem r 110. This opens the re ief port and allows aquick escape of the gas from beneath the diaphragm so that its movementand the movement of the main re lating valve is accelerated. As the diapragm carries the yoke 114 downward with it, the yoke enga es thediahragm valve and pulls it an the spring 211 ers downward away fromengagement wit the catch member so that the v ve 112 again closes therelief port. Since the normal pressure of gas is only slightly aboveatmospheric pressure, the weight of the valve 112 and attached parts issufiiclent to kee it closed normally.

uitable means may be provided for manually cutti 011 the how of salts tothe apparatus. Suc means is here ustrated in the form of the hand valve115.

What I claim is 1. In a water heater, a reservoir, a main gas burner forheating the same, pressure actuated means controlling said main burnerthermostaticmeans sub e cted to the heat of the reservoir forcontrollmgfiow of .valve, a diaphragm mechanical gas to the mainburner,a pilot for the main urner and thermostatic means sub1eoted to the heatof the pilot for controlling flow of actuating fluid to the pressureactuated means which controls the main burner.

2. In a heater regulating system, the combination with the reservoir anda suitable gas burner for heating the same, of a main gas regulatingvalve, a gas operated diaphragm, a mechanical connection between saiddiaphragm and said valve, a valve in said diaphragm, a gas supply(passage leada ing to the opposite side of sai diaphragnii' an auxiliarygas valve for said passage an a heat controlled means for operating saidauxiliary valve.

3. In a heater regulating system, a reservoir and a suitable gas burnerfor heating the same, means controlling flow of gas to the burner, apressure operated device controlling the burner controlling means andarranged when actuated by fluid under pressure to cut off flow of gas tothe burner, a thermostatic device controlling flow of fluid underpressure to the pressure operated device and arranged in one position tocut oif flow of actuating fluid to said device and means adaptedtorelease the pressure upon the pressure operated device when the flow ofactuating fiuid'thereto is thus cut off.

4. In a gas regulating device, a main gas valve, a diaphragmmechanicallyconnected with said valve and having a gas passag" therein, a valve forsaid passage at one si of said diaghragm and carried by said diaphragman a heat operated auxiliary valve or controlling the flow of gas to theopposite side of sald diaphragm.

5. In a gas regulating device, a main gas valve, a diaphragmmechanically connected with said valve and having a gas passage therein,a valve for said passage carried by said diaphragm a heat 0 eratedauxiliary valve for controlling the ow of gas to said diaphragm andmeans for engagin said diaphragm valve to hold it and ermlt saiddiaphragm to descend a certain istance independently of such valve.

6. In a gas regulating device a main gas ly connected with said valveand having a gas passage therein, a valve for said passage carried bysaid diaphragm valve for controlling the ow of gas to said diaphragm,means for engaging said diaghragm valve to-hold it and permit saidiaphragm to descend a certain distance independently of such 'valve andmeans for disengaging said diaphragm valve in the latter part of thedownward movement of the diaphragm.

7. In a regulating device, the combination of a water reservoir, a heatoperated device 'for said reservoir, a roller, a support for said a heat0 erated auxiliary roller, a flexible metallic ribbon connecting saidroller to said support, a flexible metallic ribbon oonnectin the heatcontrolled device aforesaid, an operating lever connected to the rollerand means actuated by said lever.

8. In a regulating device, the combination of a water reservoir, a heatoperated device for said reservoir, a roller, 3. support for saidroller, a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to'saidsupport, a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to a part ofthe heat controlled device aforesaid, an operating lever connected tothe roller, means operated by said lever and means for adjusting thesupport for the roller.

9. In a regulating device, the combination of a water reservoir, a heatoperated device for said reservoir, a roller, a support for said roller,a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to said support, aflexible metallic ribbon connectin the roller to a part of the heatcontrolled fevice aforesaid, an operating lever connected to the roller,means operated by said lever and a sprin opposing the operation of theheat operate l device.

10. In a regulating device, the combination of a water reservoir, a heatoperated device for said reservoir, a roller, a support for said roller,a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to said support, aflexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to a part of the heatcontrolled device aforesaid, an operating lever connected to the rollerand a valve connected to said operating lever.

11. In a regulating device, the combination of a Water reservoir, a heatoperated de-' vice for said reservoir, a roller, a support for saidroller, a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to saidsupport, a flexible metallic ribbon connecting the roller to a part ofthe heat controlled device aforesaid, an operating lever connected tothe roller, a valve connected to the operating lever and a sprinnormally tending to close said valve.

12. n a device of the character set forth, the combination of a support,a roller bearing against said support, an operating arm carried by theroller, means operated by said arm, a flexible ribbon passing part wayaround the roller and connecting the roller to the support, a secondflexible ribbon assing part way around the roller in a irect1on oppositeto that of the first ribbon and a controlling device connected to thesecond ribbon for imparting rotative movement to the roller and theoperating arm carried thereby.

13. In a heater re lating system, a water reservoir and a suit e maingas burner for heating the same, means controlling flow of gas to themain burner, a pressure actuated device for operating said controllinmeans, a pilot for the main burner an means the roller to a part ofadapted upon extinguishment of the pilot light to admit fluid underpressure to the pressure actuated device whereby to cause -said deviceto operate the controlling means to cut off flow of gas to the mainburner.

14. In a heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable maingas burner for heating the same, means controlling flow of gas to themain burner, a pressure actuated device for operating the controllingmeans arranged upon admission of fluid under pressure thereto to operatethe controlling means to cut off flow of gas to the main burner, athermostatic device heated by the reservoir, means operated by thethermostatic device when heated to admit fluid under pressure to thepressure actuated device, a pilot for the main burner and a thermostaticdevice heated by the pilot, adapted upon extinguishment of the pilot toadmit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuated device. 7 15. In aheaterregulating system, a Water reservoir and a suitable main burnerfor heatin the same, a mainregulating valve contro ling flow of gas tothe burner, a diaphragm? operatively connected to the main valve, anauxiliary valve controlling flow of gas to the diaphragm for operatingthe same, a thermostatic device subjected to the heat of the reservoir,connected with the auxiliary valve. and adapted on a rise in temperatureto openqthe auxiliary valve to admit gas to the diaphragm, a pilot forthe main burner, a gas passage leading to the diaphragm and athemostatic device subjected to the heat of the pilot, adapted whenheated thereby to cut oil flow through such passage and when cooled toopen up flow through said passa e.

16. In a device 0 the character set forth, the combination with asuitable gas burner, of a main regulating valve controlling said burner,a gas pressure operated device connected with said valve for operatingthe same, an auxiliary gas passage leading to said pressure operateddevice, a main gas passage leading to the main regulating valve, :1thermostatic device and valve mechanism controlled by the thermostaticdevice for governing flow through the auxiliary gas passage and main gaspassage.

17. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a asburner, a main regulating valve contro ling said burner, a gas pressureoperated device connected with said valve for operating the same, anauxiliary gas passage for supplying gas under pressure to the pressureoperated device, a main gas passage leadin to the main re ulating valve,valve mec anism controlling flow through the auxiliary gas passage andthrough the main gas passage, and a thermostatic device connected withthe said valve mechanism adapted under the influence of p 1O passageextending from the interior chamber to the pressure operated device andregulating valve contro ling said burner. a.

v gas pressure operated device connected with the regulating valve forcontrolling the same, a chamber a gas suppl conduit opening i dt o saidchaimber, an auxiliary d sai substantially opposite to the opening ofthe supply conduit thereinto, a lever pivoted in the gas'chamber,oppositely seating valves mounted on one end of the said leverandarranged to control the main and auxiliary passages respectively anda thermostatic device connected with the opposite and of the lever for ocrating the same.

19. In a heat controlle device, the combination of a water reservoir, ametallic tube supported at its lower end by said' reservoir, a rod ofrelatively low co-eflicient of expansion having one end secured to theinner end of said tube, an intermediate member of high co-eflicient ofexpansion havin one end secured to the free end of said rod and lying,in contact with the inner surface of said tube between said rod andsaid tube, a transmitting member secured to the inner end of saidintermediate member and pass ing through the outer end of said tube andmeans operated by said transmitting member.

20. In a device of the character set forth,

the combination with a suitable burner, of

a main regulating valve therefor, a pressure operated device connectedwith the mam lating valve for operating the same, a thermostatic device,means operated by said thermostatic device to control flow of fluidunder pressure to the pressure operated device, whereby to control theburner through the medium of the ressure operated device and meansoperated by the thermostatic device adapted under excessive heatconditions to cut off flow of s to the burner, whereby the thermostaticevice will upon excessive heating act directly to reduce flow of gas tothe burner independently of the control exercised by the pressureoperated device.

21. In a device of the character set forth, havin a chamber, a dia'hraim forming a. wall t ereof and rovide wit a valve passage, a valvecarried by the diaphragm and controlling said passage means for control-1i the admission of d to fite diaphragm chamber, whereby to causemovement of the diaphra in one direction, spring fingers engaging thevalve to temporarily 1101s the same while the diaphragm 1s moving in theo osite direction and means operated by said laphragm;

diaphragm gas uid under pressure 22. In a device of the character setforth, having a chamber, the combination of a forming a wall thereof andprovided with a valve p a lever ivoted on the diaphragm a valve carriedy said lever and controlling the passage in the diaphragm, means forcontrolling the admission of fluid under pressure to the diaphragmchamber to cause movement of the diaphragm in one direction, spring 1 eever arran ed to temporarily hold t where y to hold the valve open whenthe j diaphragm is moving in the opposite direction and means operatedby said diaphragm.

23. In a device of the character described, \having a chamber, thecombination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for controllingthe admission .of fluid under pressure to said diaphragm chamber, meansoperable by said. diaphragm a valve for controlling the flow of gas romone, side of the diaphragm to the other and means for opening the valvewhen the diaphragm starts to collapse, said means includin a pluralityof spring fingers for retar ing movement of said valve.

24. In a device of the character described, having a chamber, thecombination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for phragmforming a wall thereof, means for controlling the admission of fluidunder pressure to said diaphragm chamber, means operable by said diahragm, a valve controllin the assage 0 gas from one side of sai diapragm to the other, and means for automatically opening the valve whenthe diaphragm begins to collapse.

26. In a water heater, a main burner, a main regulating valvecontrolling the flow of gas to the main burner, a diaphragm operativelyconnected to said valve, an auxiliary valve controlling the flow of gasto the diaphragm, a thermostat subjected to the heat of the water and 0erativel connected with the auxiliary va ve, a p' ot for the mainburnerhaving a fies passage leading to said diaphragm an a thermostatic devicecontrolled by the operation of the pilot for controlling the flow of gasthrough said lpassage to said diaphra for operating t e diaphragm toshut o the main valve upon extinguishment of the pilot.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, having a chamber, thecombination of a main gas valve, a diaphragm forming a wall of thechamber and mechanically connected to said valve for operating the same,a valve controllin the flow of gas from one side of the diap ragm to theother, said latter valve being operated by the movement of saiddiaphragm, means for engaging said latter valve to hold it and permitthe diaphragm to collapse a certain amount independently of the valveand a heat operated auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas tosaid diaphragm.

28. The combination in a water heater of a main glas regulatin valve, adiaphragm operative y connecte to said valve and operated by gaspressure, a valve operated by the movement of the diaphragrnfor controlling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphra m to the other, anauxiliary valve contro ling the flow of gas to the pressure side of saiddiaphragm and a heat operated 'device for operating said auxiliaryvalve.

HENRY E. REEVE.

Witnesses R. S. ALLYN, E. Bnanroma.

